Page 46 of Sweet Deception

The panel trim hides the fact that the wall is moveable. As I peer into the elevator, I see a door on the opposite side, from what I assume to be an entry from the garage.

Cool.

"Why make it hidden?" I check out the interior as I follow him in.

"It’s more for aesthetic reasons." He presses the button for the third floor before facing me with a fierce expression. "But tell no one about it. You hear me?"

Startled, I nod as I retreat until I bump into the steel wall. I know I just met Gio, but he's only ever given me his goofy side.ThisGio scares me.

He busts out laughing. "Holy shit, Little Bit, you should see your face right now!" He continues to laugh as he steps out of the elevator and into the movie room.

I growl, following him. "You jerk. You looked like you were about to threaten me if I told anyone." I smack the back of his arm, relieved but also wary of him now. I realize I never want to be on his bad side, that's for sure.

I turn around in time to witness the elevator closing and the panel sliding back into place.

"So cool. You really can't tell it's there. Where’s the button to open it back up?"

"Look at the bottom of the frame there." He nods to a framed poster of The Sopranos before turning back to prepare the popcorn.

I duck down and find a small black button that goes unnoticed unless you're specifically looking for it. "Wow. This is like spy shit."

Gio snorts.

Done with examining the elevator, I move to watch Gio make the popcorn so I'll be able to do it by myself later.

Gio pushes the switch to start the machine before turning to open the fridge under the counter and pulling out a beer. "Want one?"

"No, thanks. I'm not much of a drinker."

"That's not surprising." He pops the cap off his beer on the counter. "The popcorn will take acouple of minutes. Let's pick a movie. We might as well watch it herewith the bigger screen." He walks over to the massive sectional, nabs the remote, and sprawls out onto the couch.

"Cool." I stoop to examine the contents of the beverage cooler and grab another water bottle. "Are there blankets?"

"Open the cabinet door there." Gio points behind him to the armoire in the back corner.

I examine the pile of folded blankets and grab the softest one I can find. With my loot, I go sit next to Gio already enjoying the scent of the kernels popping.

"What are we watching?" I ask as I spread the blanket over my lap.

Gio's pulled the menuscreen with movies sorted by genre. He turns to me, smiling so big, he's baring his teeth at me.

I pull my head back a fraction, wary. "What?"

"How do you feel about horror?" He returns his gaze back to the monstrous tv and clicks on the horror selections.

"Uh …" I swing my gaze to the screen as he shuffles between movie options. "I've not tried any horror movies. I watch mostly action since my dad's a fan, and my mom and I will go watch one of those dreaded romance movies on occasion."

I used finger quotes fordreadedjust for Gio.

He dramatically shivers before taking a pull from his beer. Then he pulls an arm rest down from a recess in the back of the couch. It sits between us with two cup holders. He sets his beer in one and I follow with my water bottle.

"So you're a horror virgin?" He claps his hands together, rubbing them in glee. "I'll have to make my selection carefully." At his declaration, he stands and goes to the popcorn machine just as the popping noises slow down.

Hearing the click of the machine door being opened, the buttery scent increases, causing my stomach to rumble. After eating dinner a couple of hours ago, I shouldn't be hungry, but movie popcorn is one of my favorite snacks.

"So, the question is … do I ease you in or give you the good stuff right off the bat?" He asks.

Twisting, I place my arm on the back of the couch as he grabs two popcorn buckets and fills them.

---